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Thriving Not Just Surviving

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Thriving Not Just Surviving Thriving Not Just Surviving The Right to a Breathable Atmosphere WHITE PAPER Photo: NASA JULY 2020 Jus Ad Astra Authored by: Jonathan Lim & Dr. Rowena Christiansen 1 Contents Introduction Page 3 Context Page 5 • Right to Health Pg.5 • Right to Clean Air Pg.9 Analysis of the Right to a Breathable Atmosphere Page 11 • Technical and Physiological Aspects Pg.12 - Atmospheric Pressure - Atmospheric Composition - Hygiene and Clean Air • Procedural Human Rights Aspects Pg.19 - Relevance - Applicability Conclusion Page 25 2 Jonathan Lim Dr. Rowena Christiansen Project Co-Lead Research Director – Health Law Introduction Recognizing the Right to a Breathable Atmosphere (RBA) as an integral element to maintaining the Right to Health (RTH) in space is crucial in supporting the inherent and inalienable right of individuals to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, and in supporting the proliferation of human activities beyond the earth. It is only by upholding RBA as a fundamental and non-derogable absolute human right through which humanity will not merely survive, but prosper, in its collective endeavours across the final frontier. The hazardous conditions and environment of outer space present a unique challenge to the maintenance of good health and wellbeing for human beings. Indeed, it is understood that the concerns of radiation, gravity, isolation, and hostile and enclosed environments within space habitats pose a risk to long-term human health and development.1 Prolonged radiation exposure can also give rise to an increased risk of cancer, damage to the central nervous system, and altered cognitive function. Further, the varied levels of gravity in space and on other celestial bodies can give rise to health issues impacting the skeletal, muscular, and cardiovascular systems of individuals. Finally, restrictions on temperature, lighting, noise, and the quantity of space within space vehicles and habitats may serve as acute mental stressors for astronauts and human spaceflight participants.2 Accounting for such environmental conditions, pertinent to the conduct of human activities in space, exists as core concerns of any environmental control and life support system (ECLSS). In underscoring the importance of RTH in space, IGOs and civil society organisations have engaged in a variety of Mars habitat “analog” experiments in which a select group of people simulate the conditions of travelling to and living upon the Martian surface. The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) represents one such group.3 The emphasis of the HI-SEAS experiment upon physical isolation, geological similarity, and adoption of a system of high-latency communication has created an authentic outer space environment - shedding light upon persisting challenges which stand in the way of a successful Martian colony.4 Similarly, the Lunark project has sought to explore the role of liveable spaces for future space travellers from a human perspective, highlighting how mental well-being and social sustainability forms part of the life support equation. 1 Melanie Whiting and Laurie Abadie, ‘5 Hazards of Human Spaceflight’ on NASA (2010) <https://www.nasa.gov/hrp/5-hazards-of- human-spaceflight>. 2 Kelly Young, ‘Noisy ISS may have damaged astronauts' hearing’ on New Scientist (21 June 2006) <https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9379-noisy-iss-may-have-damaged-astronauts-hearing/>. 3 HI-SEAS, ‘Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation’ on HI-SEAS (2020) <https://hi-seas.org>. 4 Marina Koren, ‘When a Mars Simulation Goes Wrong’ on The Atlantic (22 June 2018) <https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/06/mars-simulation-hi-seas-nasa-hawaii/553532>. 3 Where food, water and shelter exist as the core elements pertinent to the survival and wellbeing of individuals on earth, the domain of outer space gives rise to a reconceptualization of the elements which should be considered central to the survival and wellbeing of individuals. Where the abundant availability of a breathable atmosphere exists as an inherent and universal trait of life on earth,5 the novel notion of managing our atmosphere as a global commons has only emerged over the past several decades within environmental law in direct response to the threat posed by climate change and environmental pollution.6 Accordingly, in thinking ahead to the various challenges which will arise in the course of prolonged human activities in outer space, there arises the need to adopt a rights-based approach in the development and enforcement of RBA as an individual human right. 7 5 Charles Cockell, ‘Where does all our oxygen come from?’ on Youtube (31 March 2020) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seiPDsCLCtQ>. 6 Ottmar Edenhofer et al. ‘The Atmosphere as a Global Commons—Challenges for International Cooperation and Governance’ on Belfer Center (August 2013) <https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/atmosphere-global-commons-challenges-international-cooperation- and-governance>. 7 Care About Rights, ‘What is a human rights based approach?’ on Care About Rights (2020) <http://careaboutrights.scottishhumanrights.com/whatisahumanrightsbasedapproach.html>. 4 Context The notion of human rights represents universal, inherent and inalienable rights possessed by all human beings regardless of nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status.8 Human rights reflect the minimum standards required for people to live with dignity, protecting vulnerable groups and individuals against abuse by those in positions of authority, and in guaranteeing people the means necessary to satisfy their basic needs (i.e. food, housing, education) so they can take full advantage of all opportunities. The core principles of human rights are centred upon accountability in promoting the responsible actions of actors, equality and non-discrimination in promoting the inclusion of all peoples, and participation in creating wider consensus through the broad involvement of stakeholders including by governments, business, and private individuals. The international human rights framework provides the means to build upon this established body of medical knowledge, and enforce guidelines for the purposes of advancing human health and wellbeing in space. Human rights exist as the most coherent and effective means of contextualising the hazardous conditions of outer space, of forming a universal standard that holds governments accountable, and in enforcing these concerns within the international community. In extending the notion of human rights into the domain of space, the presence and enforcement of existing and emergent human rights principles provide a multitude of benefits conducive to the maintenance of human health and dignity within isolated human communities across the final frontier, and in the achievement of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Right to Health RTH represents the primary supporting human rights element pertinent to the realization and advancement of RBA. In determining the nature of the relationship between RTH and RBA, attention must first be directed to the core international instruments which address RTH. The interpretative methodology applied is premised on the corpus juris of human rights, adopting a dominant dynamic or teleological method of interpretation which 8 OHCHR, ‘What are human rights?’ on United Nations (2020) <https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/pages/whatarehumanrights.aspx>. 5 considers international human rights agreements as ‘living’ instruments, rather than tied to the original intent of the State parties.9 The importance of health has been upheld within several international agreements10 - first underscored within the 1946 WHO Constitution, which preceded the authoritative 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). RTH was enunciated as a foundational element within Article 1 of the WHO Constitution,11 alluded to within the organisation’s mission statement to support the “attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health” without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. Supporting the protection and realization of RTH has been central to the WHO’s identity and mandate. 12 Secondly, RTH was also included under Article 25 of the UDHR,13 emphasizing the right of everyone to “a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself,” with such a right also encompassing the right to medical care. While as a declaration, the UDHR may not be said to hold the binding force of international law, it nonetheless wields considerable authority under international law as either customary international law or general principles.14 Finally, RTH was further clarified under Article 12 of the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR),15 holding that State parties “recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.” In achieving such ends, the ICESCR provides that States undertake the following measures: 16 • The reduction of the stillbirth-rate and of infant mortality and for the healthy development of the child; 9 Paul Hunt, ‘Interpreting the International Right to Health in a Human Rights-Based Approach to Health’ (2016) 18(2) Health and Human Rights Jorunal 109-130. 10 Australian Human Rights Commissioner, ‘Right to Health’ on Australian Human Rights Commissioner (1 May 2013) <https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/rights-and-freedoms/right-health>.
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